On 1 October, we bid farewell to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who served 10 years at the helm of NATO, and welcomed Mark Rutte into the position. But what exactly is a NATO Secretary General and how does someone get the job? How long do they serve and what do they do every day? Read on to find out!
Then Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte (left) with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, 12 July 2023
What does a Secretary General do?
The Secretary General of NATO is the public face of the Alliance and the person who steers the process of consultation and decision-making among the 32 Allies. It's not an easy job, because 32 different countries with 32 different viewpoints (and a lot of different cultures and languages) need to agree on all decisions before they can be implemented.
How is a Secretary General chosen?
NATO Allies put forward senior political figures from their countries for the post of Secretary General. Member countries engage in informal diplomatic consultations until they are able to reach consensus on one candidate.
How long does the Secretary General serve?
The Secretary General is appointed by NATO Allies for an initial period of four years, but that can be extended if all Allies agree. For example, Jens Stoltenberg was extended four times to lead the Alliance for a total of 10 years!
What does the Secretary General's day-to-day look like?
The Secretary General chairs major committees, including regular meetings of the main political decision-making body of the Alliance, the North Atlantic Council, as well as other key bodies. They hold meetings with leaders from member and partner countries to discuss topics on NATO's agenda at NATO Headquarters and abroad, travelling the world on a regular basis. They act as the spokesperson for NATO, representing the Alliance to the public, to other international organisations and to the international press and media. The Secretary General is also the de facto CEO of NATO's International Staff, who make sure the Alliance is running smoothly.
